A serial shoplifter and drug addict has been banned from every shop in Kingston town centre after admitting stealing children’s toys and a TV from Argos.

Samantha Hicks-Magee, 32, of Polesden Gardens, Raynes Park, pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday to stealing from the shop in Adam’s Walk last year.

The value of the goods came to £599.99.

Hicks-Magee also admitted stealing £86 worth of meat from the Co-op in King’s Road, and not turning up to an appointment at the wellbeing service at Surbiton Health Centre after she tested positive for heroin.

She was bailed until Monday, February 10, to allow the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.

She must not go to any shop in the town centre as a condition of her bail.

Hicks-Magee was also convicted in 2010 of a string of theft offences, having stolen items including champagne, meat, perfume sets and vodka.

At the time defence solicitor Warren Mitchell told Kingston Crown Court Hicks-Magee was a mother of two and began taking drugs at 14.

He added: “This is a young lady with a long-term drug problem, who also needs to get off the drugs.”

She has not "got away with it" as she has to go back to court to be sentenced,that's why a Pre Sentence Report is needed by probation service.So she will more than likely go to prison as she has done it before.

She has not "got away with it" as she has to go back to court to be sentenced,that's why a Pre Sentence Report is needed by probation service.So she will more than likely go to prison as she has done it before.vickip11

Time and time again type of crime is committed we get the excuse that its drug related. This is a way of getting Magistrates to look at the easy option.
It time they woke up to the fact that shop lifting cost us all ( customers) millions of pounds in extra payment on goods to make up the shortfall.
Time to send out a short sharp message to all lawyers that that type of argument will not hold water.

Time and time again type of crime is committed we get the excuse that its drug related. This is a way of getting Magistrates to look at the easy option.
It time they woke up to the fact that shop lifting cost us all ( customers) millions of pounds in extra payment on goods to make up the shortfall.
Time to send out a short sharp message to all lawyers that that type of argument will not hold water.Beverly RA